August's Xbox Games With Gold Titles: Crackdown, Dead Rising 2

A new month means two more free Xbox Live Games. In August, Xbox Live Gold members will be jumping from rooftop to rooftop in search of agility orbs and mowing down hordes of undead with homemade weapons.

Beginning tomorrow, August 1, Crackdown will be free for Xbox Live Gold members. On August 16, both Dead Rising 2 and the Case Zero prequel chapter will be available gratis.

Be sure to download them in the two week availability window (or at least initiate the "purchase" to acquire the license). As a reminder, you can do that via the Xbox website in addition to your dashboard. This is your last call for Assassin's Creed 2. After today, you won't be able to get it for free.

Our TakeAugust is the best Games with Gold month yet. Crackdown is one of my favorite titles of the generation for its unabashed fun. I've not yet played Dead Rising 2, and editor Jeff Cork has been mercilessly "reminding" me to do that. Thanks, Xbox, now I'm out of excuses.